FALL RIVER — Bishop George W. Coleman has submitted his resignation to Pope Francis, setting into motion the process of selecting a new bishop for the Fall River Diocese, a spokesman announced Friday.

John Kearns, communications director for the Fall River Diocese, said Coleman recently submitted his resignation in accordance with Canon Law, which requires that all bishops resign upon their 75th birthday.

Coleman, who has been bishop since July 2003, turns 75 today and enjoys “good health,” Kearns said.

He also said that the resignation does not mean Coleman will immediately step down, explaining the process of accepting the letter and selecting a new bishop usually takes between eight months and a year.

Coleman will remain bishop until his replacement is chosen by the pope, Kearns said.

The letter of resignation “begins a process that will eventually lead to the naming of a successor to Bishop Coleman,” Kearns said.

He stressed that “Going forward for Bishop Coleman, it will be business as usual” and there will be no change in his title or responsibilities.

“As far as life in this diocese, it continues unchanged,” Kearns said.

Priests in New Bedford reflected fondly on Coleman's leadership the past 10½ years.

Coleman presided over the diocese during “a very difficult time,” said the Rev. Marc Bergeron, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in New Bedford.

While previous bishops presided at ribbon-cuttings for Catholic schools and churches, Coleman had to make the tough decision to close many because of declining enrollment and attendance.

“It's unpopular. It's like taking candy from a child,” Bergeron said of having to close churches and schools.

Coleman was a priest in the diocese, headed the Catholic education program and served as vicar general — “the No. 2” — under former Fall River Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, now cardinal of the Boston Archdiocese, Bergeron said.

He was a priest in the diocese when he was selected to be bishop, which Bergeron said is “unusual.” Because he served in the diocese for so many years, “We all know him so there is no reticence with chatting with him,” Bergeron said.

While the bishop is not “an outgoing person,” Bergeron said one-on-one, “he's always asking how you are and how you're doing.

“He's a concerned father,” Bergeron said.

The Rev. Robert Oliveira, pastor of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in New Bedford, described the bishop as “a gentleman” and “a holy man” who guided the diocese with “steady and faithful” leadership.

“He has been a faithful servant of God's hope,” Oliveira said.

He also said the bishop is compassionate, kind and bright. “He has conducted himself quietly, effectively and generously,” he said. “He showed great grace under pressure.”

“He has gently and quietly carried on the mission of the church,” said Msgr. John Oliveira, pastor of St. Mary's Church in New Bedford, noting that the bishop has tried to strengthen education in the diocese schools and in its religious education program.

The bishop has tried to respond to the changing demographics in the diocese and be “a brother” to its priests, he said.